Inside Einstein

Social Media Accolades — A prominent digital marketing strategist recently recognized Einstein’s social media team – David Flores, Paul Moniz, Deirdre Branley and Kimberly Newman — for the growing social media presence it has created for Einstein. In detailing the team’s efforts, the strategist demonstrated how the four colleagues are helping to build Einstein’s reputation. To connect with Einstein’s social media team, visit http://www.einstein.yu.edu/social-media/.

Transitioning to Drug Discovery — Dr. Vern Schramm has been awarded a $2.5 million grant over four years from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The funding supports his continued work with enzymes – the biological molecules that help carry out important chemical reactions – as targets for drug development. Dr. Schramm’s research on enzymatic transition states has demonstrated significant promise in this arena. The fundamental aspects of the research are providing insights into the essential catalytic nature of enzymes. Use of that information is applied to drug targets. Through license agreements from Einstein, several drugs using this approach are in clinical development with industry partners. Dr. Schramm is the Ruth Merns Chair of Biochemistry, and professor and chair of biochemistry.

Tending to Tendons — Dr. Hui (Herb) Sun has received an NIH grant of $2.5 million over 5 years from the National Institute of Aging, which will fund research aimed at understanding how tendon stem cells change with age and if they can be manipulated to improve their repair capabilities. As we age, tendons become more susceptible to injury and less able to heal. Working with colleagues from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Sun will explore how age-related decline in tendon integrity may be the result of changes in the stem cells that are responsible for maintaining these tissues. Through their research, the collaborators hope to gain new insights into the basis for tendon disorders that could lead to new strategies for tendon repair and regeneration. Dr. Sun is associate professor of orthopedic surgery and of radiation oncology at Einstein.